“We created BankShot Entertainment to really meet our mission, to enhance the success of our members and promote the game of billiards,” said Rob Johnson, CEO of the Billiard Congress of America, “Our belief is that promoting play and promoting people in pool rooms will help not only pool rooms but it will also help the entire industry.”
“What's in it for you?”
BankShot Entertainment, the new marketing and promotion division of the Billiard Congress of America, is making huge strides to create new member benefits for the industry. Last month, they announced their new partnership with Coca-Cola wherein room operators will be entitled to national preferred pricing the Coca-Cola family of products. “Coke will then promote the industry in some national marketing campaigns,” said Johnson. These national purchasing programs and new membership benefits also include a First Data merchant credit card discount program, Sysco Foodservices rebate program and a Web site development and hosting service.
The BankShot Entertainment initiative was inspired by the bowling industry's Strike Ten Entertainment, which has been able to negotiate national buying programs that create discounts for their members. The ultimate goal is to get enough pool room operators participating in the program in order to start creating a national promotion to drive more people into pool rooms. In years past, the Billiard Congress of America has used the profits made from the annual BCA Expo to put back into the less profitable sides of the industry. It has funded the WPA membership, for players to travel overseas to compete, the Billiard Education Foundation, and the BCA instructor program.
What are the benefits for the players?
“The success of this program will give us added money, very simply. More members mean more money for the BCA. In turn, the BCA will put that back into the industry so the players will see the benefits: 1) they're going to see pool rooms stay open because of programs like this that help their bottom line, 2) the player's going to see that as we have money and success, we're putting it back into the industry, and how we do that will be the fun part,” explains Johnson.
The Membership Program is Guaranteed
If a BCA member participates in the Coca-Cola and First Data programs for one full year and doesn't realize more savings than the cost of a Billiard Congress of America annual membership, the BCA will refund their annual dues. Johnson adds, “Give us a call. Go to the website. We're here to let people see the analysis. The credit card's the best example. We haven't seen a case yet where they don't save $40 a month so it's been pretty easy to convince people to make the switch,” also, “Join the BCA and take advantage of the benefits and the program. After a year, if you haven't saved more than the $300 you paid to get in, we'll refund your membership. It's pretty easy.”
The office is encouraging pool room owners to call for an audit to find out exactly how much they will be saving on the program. “It's a program we're just launching but we're very excited about,” said Johnson.
For more information on BankShot Entertainment and BCA membership, contact Shane Tyree, BCA membership coordinator, at 303.243.5070 or shane@bca-pool.com.
